Policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure schools offer the appropriate level of support for students who need supervision when eating or drinking for their safety and wellbeing at school.
Details
It is recommended that schools develop a Student Health Support Plan for any student who, for medical reasons, requires supervision when eating and drinking.
Requirement for supervision
Students may need supervision with eating and drinking when they:
- have difficulty with oral intake of food and drink and need assistance with the procedure
- are not able to manage the volume of intake necessary for their health and wellbeing
- have complex medical needs such as:
- taking food or fluid via a tube through their nose or directly into their stomach (via nasal or gastric tube feeding)
- risk of aspiration (inhaling food or fluid into the lung) and require suctioning.
Actions
For students who need supervision whilst eating and drinking schools may request that parents or carers provide written advice from the student’s medical/health practitioner (such as a speech pathologist).
Schools and families may use the Functional Needs Medical Advice Form and must develop a Student Health Support Plan to address routine and special events, such as parties.
Students with complex medical needs may be referred to the Schoolcare
Supervising routine and personal care
When supervising or assisting with personal care, schools must:
- fulfil their duty of care to students by assisting with routine and personal care needs
- detail personal care support requirements and the person(s) responsible in the Student Health Support Plan .
As with all health and personal care support, assisting a student with the management of personal routines must be conducted in a manner that:
- maximises the student’s safety, comfort, independence, dignity, privacy and learning
- consistent with Child Safe Standards
- reflects occupational health and safety standards for the school.
Related policies
Reviewed 23 January 2026